Duthie Park HLF Restoration Project

Duthie Park Restoration Project Timetable

The Duthie Park restoration project was divided into three stages outlined as follows:

Stage 1: The production and submission of a Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Parks for People’ Stage 1 grant application. Originally submitted March 2007 and re-submitted March 2008 – pass decision announced April 2009.

Stage 3: (Phase 2 Delivery): The production of all documentation, detailed design for planning and preparation of works tenders ( 1 January 2011 – 30 June 2011) Construction to practical completion (1 July 2011 – 30 June 2012) Official re-opening of Park – 30th June 2013.

The Works comprised:

Area 1: Boundary Walls and Railings

North East Entrance: Replace missing cast-iron railings.

East Boundary Wall: Re-point and repair locally.

South East Gateway: Re-point.

South Boundary Wall: Re-build and repair walls to the historic detail, using stone and cast iron railings. Retain the existing vehicular exit and the lowered walls within the sightlines.

West Boundary and West Gateway (the Great Southern Road boundary): Repair generally.

Area 2: The Linked Lakes and Stone Shelter

Work to existing trees: Remove small, or self sown trees and shrubs from the dams and the lake edges. Retain all trees which are part of the original design. Remove the lower branches from the copper beech on the boating pond island (to facilitate restoration of the original rockwork).

The Three Linked Lakes: Re-surface and rebuild edges and walls. Remove the boating hut. Remove trees from dams and replace historic rockwork. Replace sluice gates. Install a water re-circulation system and a SUDS water collection system around the lakes. Restore the stone shelter to its original design.

Area 3: The Riverside Component and Promenade Embankment

Embankment below the Promenade: Restore the lost terrace footpath and seating area (for restoring the views of the river Dee).

The riverside component between the rectangular model boating pond and the South boundary: Reduce the width of the road and remove the parking spaces (retain the main car park area between the play area and the South-East entrance). Re-surface and line the car park. Restore the historic plantings of shrub beds and annual bedding.

Duthie Fountain: Restore to working order. Restore the original setting with paths and stone steps.

Area 4: The Bowling Green and Hygia Monument Area including the Pavilion and the 1920’s Rockery

Repair the Bowling Green Pavilion externally and re-fit internally for use by the ranger and voluntary groups.

Restore the 1920’s Rock Garden by the Bowling Green.

Convert the derelict tennis courts area into a model garden area.

The Bowling Green: Convert to nursery play or demonstration lawn maintenance function.

The Hygeia Monument: Restore the original paving and planting setting.

Area 5: The Mound

Restore the Mound to its original shape. Including the stepped feature and flagpole at the top.

Plant a screen to the maintenance yard behind the Winter Gardens.

General

Re-surface footpaths and drives.

Minor works to monuments throughout the park: repairs to the Temperance Drinking Fountain setting (not for drinking water); replace missing stone urns; repair the Spring Drinking Fountain (stonework only, not for drinking water) re-locate the ornamental railings and open up the edges of the Parade Ground opposite the Winter Gardens entrance.

Park Seats: restore the remaining originals and replace all other types of seats with reproductions of the originals.

Tree work: Retain all trees except for the small self sown ones around the Linked Lakes. Survey the condition of the trees. Carry our arboricultural works to any unsafe trees. Replace additional ‘lost’ trees in accordance with the original layout.

Erect interpretation boards throughout the park.

7 Comments

Karen Allan

March 26, 2012 - at 10:18 am

I was shocked when visiting last week to see many trees at the South West entrance being felled, including mature cherry trees in bloom. The rose mound has also been turned into a pile of sand and the noise of chainsaws was spoiling the whole ambiance. Not so much a resotration as more slash-and-burn devlopment it looked like to me.

i must admit that when the restoration began i was dubious as to what was taking place and how it could possibly be better. As i am at Duthie Park everyday with my dogs i have seen first-hand the changes and progress being made and can happily say that the park is looking much better; the large green grassy hill with the flag-pole atop it looks amazing when going past the park and makes it look a lot nicer an area to visit – the rocky hills in place of the hedges parting the ponds are far more appealing to the eye and lends a certain historical aspect to the place.

I hope to see more progress and can’t wait to see the end result!

andy

August 27, 2012 - at 11:28 am

I agree that when i saw the removal of the mature trees I was a bit taken aback. Now, living next to the park i can see the changes have had a positive effect. The removal of the trees and some shrubs has given the park a much more open feeling. It also looks much better both from inside the park and outside looking in. We seem to be a little behind in the old progress stakes though. I would love an update as to when works are due to be completed.

Neil

November 11, 2012 - at 7:05 am

How many parking places will there be.

Kirstin Morgan

February 19, 2013 - at 6:38 pm

I visit Duthie Park at least once a day, and have been watching the restoration with interest and intrigue – especially the reduction in parking! This I cannot understand, especially as there is not even an allowance for bus parking. Today I saw a tour bus park across all the disabled parking bays at the Polmuir Road entrance, and subsequently watched 2 cars with wheelchairs in the back, circle the busy carpark then gave up as there was nowhere to park… What are your plans for bus parking?

Gavin

March 22, 2013 - at 10:26 am

I was happy to see the Duthie Park reopen on the Riverside Drive side recently. Normally I would have gone down at lunchtime to get out of the office and read the paper in my car or outside weather permitting. What I didn’t expect when I went in was the huge reduction in parking – especially the slimming of the road along the boating pond. What’s that all about? During the summer months the park was busy enough at lunchtime with the parking that was previously in place. During the summer weekends the problem was the same too. To reduce the amount of parking by what has taken place basically says to me you are not welcome if you want to drive to the park. Final point – I would imagine a bus would have difficulty getting out the Riverside exit the way it has been set up. Good intentions, poor planning jumps to mind!

Graeme Fisher

April 5, 2013 - at 7:43 am

Oh dear how typical of any development in Aberdeen !! All the good work that has been done in restoring the park to it’s former glory has been completely undone by the unnecessary narrowing of the road at the boating pond and removal of parking spaces. Don’t you want people to visit !! Its a shame people are talking about this rather than the restoration.

I don’t expect the parking issue to be resolved but the sub standard design of the exit onto Riverside Drive should be redesigned now.